DeVaris Montrell Bass, a 20-year-old African American male, was tragically killed on June 4, 2016, in Tallahassee, Florida. The incident occurred around 4:20 a.m. near 1700 Keith Street, just a few blocks west of Florida A&M University. Bass was found with multiple gunshot wounds in a yard, and despite emergency responders' efforts, he succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) immediately began canvassing the neighborhood for evidence and suspects, launching a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Witnesses reported seeing two black males fleeing the scene and entering a white sedan, which was later discovered to have been stolen during a drug deal earlier that night. Surveillance footage and forensic evidence, including fingerprints, linked Deandre Wiggins, a 24-year-old African American male, to the crime. Wiggins, who was identified as a member of the Northside/Dogg House gang, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was held in the Leon County Jail without bond.
Further investigation revealed that Wiggins had been involved in a series of criminal activities leading up to the shooting. On the night of the murder, he was seen firing a gun at an unoccupied vehicle on Dunn Street, with shell casings matching those found at the scene of Bass's shooting. Witnesses also reported that Wiggins had attempted to sell a black 9mm handgun shortly after the incident, expressing a desire to dispose of the weapon. Text messages obtained from Wiggins' phone further implicated him, with his girlfriend referencing the gun and Wiggins himself admitting to the shooting in conversations with others.
The case against Wiggins was bolstered by multiple witness testimonies and forensic evidence, leading to his indictment and subsequent trial. The tragic death of DeVaris Montrell Bass highlighted the ongoing issues of gang violence and illegal firearms in the community, prompting calls for increased efforts to address these problems and prevent further loss of life.
